Aberrance of GAP43/p-GAP43 Closely Associates with the Pathology of Neuron Loss in Prion-Infected Rodent Models.

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders characterized by neuron damage and loss. Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) functions in neuronal plasticity and synaptic function, but its role in prion diseases is not fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the changes of GAP43 in the central nerve system (CNS) of several prion-infected rodent models and explored the potential relationship of GAP43 with PrP deposit and neuron loss using various methods.

Manuifolin Q, an unusual 4-aryl-substituted isoflavan from Maackia tenuifolia.

Manuifolin Q (1), an unusual 4-aryl-substituted isoflavan, was isolated from the roots of Maackia tenuifolia. Its absolute configuration was determined as (3R,4R)-3,4-trans-7,2'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-4-[(2,4-dihydroxy-5-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)]-phenyl-isoflavan, on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.

Identification of three sulfate-conjugated metabolites of berberine chloride in healthy volunteers' urine after oral administration.

Aim: To identify the structure of unknown metabolites of berberine (Ber) in human urine after oral administration.

Methods: Urine samples were obtained from 5 volunteers after they orally took Ber chloride 0.9 g per day for three days.